transcript
“To know and follow Christ and to help others know and follow
Christ.”
JUNE > 2016
1340 3rd Ave SE | Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 | 319.363.2058 |
stpaulsumc.org
1340 3rd Ave SE | Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Address Service Requested
Forward in Faith
Page
9 We’re grateful for the energy and gifts Pastor Allison has shared
with all of us through Children’s messages, Café Chats, and
leadership. And, we welcome Keith Pitts into his new expanded role,
beginning this summer (see SPRC article and their letters inside on
page 9 for details).
Passing the Baton
may 29 > Placed for Good june 05 > Guest Preacher: Jennifer
Petersen june 12 > Placed for Good: Creation june 19 > Placed
for Good: Sent june 26 > Placed for Good: the Gifted july 03
> Placed for Good: Shared Life
sermon series
Psalm 96
Sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing
to the Lord! Bless his name! Share the news of his saving work
every single day!...
From Pastor Sherrie Lead Pastor
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Hello!
I’m told that June is the month that holds the most transitions and
changes for families. Routines change for students, parents, and
organizations, including the church. When change comes, some
anxiety goes alongside.
With changes in staff, construction zones moving ministries around,
PDO and FOCUS being hosted in neighboring churches for a year,
combining our Worship Café services, accessing ‘myStPauls’
membership portal on our new web site, our ongoing Visioning
process, the United Methodist General Conference actions for our
denomination, and many new members of African heritage joining St.
Paul’s, we’ve got a
lot going on right now! Whew! We continue to change and grow in
diversity and beauty in God’s kingdom.
Recently, I described the upcoming summer at St. Paul’s to a few
faithful people from some other denominations. One of them said,
“It sounds like an explosion of the Spirit…” To think that our
walls will literally come down and our welcome will widen to the
community in membership, partnerships, technology connections,
hospitality spaces, and visioning vitality, the Spirit certainly is
moving!
If you’ve found yourself to be anxious in any of these transitions,
the psalmist reminds us to find the song in each season. (Psalm
96,
above!) It’s a song of God’s saving work every day. It’s a song of
truth that never changes and unites us across time and place. It is
a song that soothes the soul and sounds like hope!
Join us for worship now through mid-July, where our songs and
sermons remind us that we are “Placed for Good.” It’s our
commitment to the place we find ourselves in creation, in
neighborhoods and communities, in God’s story now and
forever.
Gathering, Forming Sending… by God’s grace, from the center of the
city.
Grace & peace, Pastor Sherrie
Worship Sunday
18:15 am | Communion Worship {Chapel} 19:00 am | Traditional
Worship* {Sanctuary} 10:20 am | Sunday School for Children, Youth,
& Adults 10:30 am | Worship Café-Contemporary {Wesley Center}
11:30 am | Worship Café-Contemporary {Wesley Center} 12:00 pm |
African Nationals Worship {Sanctuary}
TGIW {Thank God It’s Wednesday}
16:00 pm | Activities for all ages.
Thursday 10:30 am | Neighborhood Worship {Chapel}
Saturday 12:00 pm | African Nationals Worship {Room 117}
View Worship *Sunday’s 9:00 am traditional worship
may be viewed on: Mediacom Cable Channel 117-1*
*(for digital TV’s that do not have a cable box)
Mediacom Cable Channel 4**
**(for TV’s with a cable box) at 6:00 pm Wednesdays
ImOn Channel 4 at 10:00 am Thursdays
Invite someone to join you and worship God!
St. Paul’s Lemonade Stand opens on Thursday, June 2, 2016 from
1:00-4:00 pm on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 14th Street. Delicious
lemonade, cookies, and treats for pets will be served every
Thursday during the months of June, July, and August. The Lemonade
Stand offers fun, fellowship, conversations, and smiles to members
of our surrounding community. Please contact Janet Webster at
393-5709 if you would like to volunteer.
Why Hospitality? “Say hello to each other with a holy kiss…” ~
Romans 16:16a. I’m usually one of the first people here on a Sunday
morning, but the
last Sunday of my family leave, Stephanie, Charles, and I attended
worship together. That morning we were warmly greeted in the
parking lot and as we entered the building and as we entered the
sanctuary and as we were ushered to a seat that would be suitable
for a couple with a baby in tow. I love our ministries of
hospitality at St. Paul’s! Yet, it is quite an undertaking each
week to offer such a warm welcome.
Why do we take hospitality so seriously at St. Paul’s? One might
think it is a simple matter of kindness: it is better to enter a
place where someone greets you than one where you seem to go
unnoticed. That’s very true, but, for Christians, hospitality is
about more than that. For us, offering hospitality is a matter of
discipleship. You see, Jesus’ ministry was one of gathering and
noticing and welcoming people to him. That is still his work: our
future hope is to join with Jesus at God’s kingdom banquet where
Jesus is the host who has prepared a place for us. When we offer
warm welcome to others, we show that the work of Jesus is our work
too.
Yes, hospitality is the work of all disciples of Jesus; all of us!
And, while I’m not asking you to go around kissing everyone as the
apostle Paul instructed the Romans, I would encourage each of us to
be intentional in making St. Paul’s a welcoming place for all we
encounter here!
Pastor Jonathan
Welcoming
The Neighborhood Meal Enrichment Program provides warm, nutritious
meals for our community.
The Neighborhood Meal & Enrichment Program (NMEP) Needs
You!
The Neighborhood Meal and Enrichment Program provides a warm,
nutritious meal for (but not limited to) the Wellington Heights,
Mound View, and Oak Hill neighborhood children and their families.
Noon meals are provided at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Monday through Friday, June 6 - August 19. The meals are prepared
and served on site. Six community churches have helped to sponsor
the program for over 25 years. A total of 6,251 meals were prepared
and served during the summer of 2015. Opportunities to serve
include food preparation, serving in the kitchen or dining room.
There is even a sit down job. To volunteer, look for the sign up
table in the main hallway between services.
VBS Leaders Needed We need shepherds for preschool through 4th
grade as well as assistants for recreation, science, and
reading/games. Youth 5th grade and up can help! Talk to Pastor
Allison for more details!
Pathfinders Fun Day, May 29 On the last day of spring Sunday
School, 3 year olds through 4th graders should come ready for fun!
If it’s nice out, we’ll play on the playground. If not, we’ll watch
a movie. Either way, come to room 307 for fellowship time with your
church friends!
Dates to Know May 29 > Pathfinders Fun Day
June 5 > No Children’s Sunday School
June 12 > No Children’s Sunday School
June 19 > Summer Sunday School for Preschool through 4th grade
starts in room 317 at 9:00 am
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Children’s Discipleship Questions? Contact Pastor Allison at
allison@stpaulsumc.org or 363-2058.
Vacation Bible School, June 10-12 Register now for VBS either
online or by picking up a form at church. Kids age 3 through
completing 4th grade will learn to be “Rooted in God’s Love” during
VBS. It’s free this year, so join us for food and fellowship
Friday, June 10, 6:00-8:00 pm, and Saturday, June 11 and Sunday,
June 12, 10:30 am-12:30 pm. Lunch will be available afterwards on
Saturday and Sunday. We expect VBS to fill up, so register
soon!
Our Parents’ Day Out 4 year olds graduated on May 11. We’ll miss
you, and have fun in kindergarten!
Summer Sunday School Starts June 19 Children’s Sunday School during
the summer will be held in room 317 at 9:00 am. This will help with
shared spaces during construction and hopefully give more children
a chance to attend. Children are, of course, welcome to attend 9:00
am worship if that’s what their families prefer. Sunday School will
go back to the normal 10:20 am time in the fall. There will be no
children’s Sunday School June 5 and 12.
Family Mission Trip: You’re Invited! The annual mission trip is
intergenerational this year, so families with children finishing
kindergarten and older can go along as a family to serve God’s
kingdom together July 17-23. Pick up an informational packet from
the youth room 110 or talk to Keith Pitts at kpitts@
stpaulsumc.org.Preschool listening ears.
Youth Discipleship
Adult Discipleship
We are now entering into our season of missions in Word Ministries
here at St. Paul’s. As we have spent the last year planning and
fundraising for the three trips we will take, there are a couple
things that have stood out to me.
First, I notice the level of love, support, and giving the people
of St. Paul’s for our youth and their calling to be the hands,
feet, and voice of Jesus Christ. It is a rare thing to see such
support for the youth ministries of the church. Second, I notice
the passion and excitement our youth have for serving Jesus Christ
in mission. Of all the alternative opportunities our youth and
sponsors have to go and have fun, they choose our trips. They
choose heat, sweat, tears, cuts, bruises, and freedom to help those
who are suffering, hurting, and less fortunate. This summer we will
be fixing two camps, three parachurch organizations, and repairing
homes for those
Youth Summer Missions
Summer Faith Forum You are invited to a Summer Faith
Forum...”Living Our Faith in Today’s World.” Classes will be held
weekly, beginning Sunday, May 29, 10:20-11:20 am in Wesley Center
(at least for the first weeks).
Agenda • 10:20 am – Informal time, conversations with new or old
friends • 10:35 am – Opening Devotions, pausing to praise God •
10:45 am – A pertinent topic, addressed by a presenter, followed by
discussion • 11:15 am – Closing • 11:20 am – Adjourned & sent
to “live our faith”
Schedule of Presenters & Topics May 29 – Rev. Jerry Oakland,
Introduction to the series, with comments about the UMC General
Conference
June 5 – Rev. Tom Sears, Biblical Foundation for Social
Justice
June 12 – Vonda Birchmier, Slavery Still Exists – Even in
Iowa
Future topics might include: Climate Justice, Domestic Violence,
Art and Faith, Sermon Discussion, Palliative Care, Heroin
Addiction
Goals: 1. To provide a meaningful Christian growth experience in a
new time, place, and format. 2. To invite 10:30 am worshippers to a
new faith formation experience. 3. To get people together – so we
get to know more people. 4. To provide a springboard for further
study and/or action. 5. To explore issues and concerns of our
society in the context of our faith.
Nancy AntonJensen, Adult Spiritual Formation Chair
who can’t afford to fix them. Please pray for our teams as they
represent Jesus Christ and St. Paul’s in the mission field to which
they have been called. All for the Glory of God!
Blessings, Keith
Thank You Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers! Together, the
Spirit Night Chick-fil-a fundraiser was a blessing! Congratulations
to “ALL” the Plincko and wheel spinning WINNERS! Because of all of
you, our youth council raised $51.08 for missions.
Tamera Preston, Youth Council Fundraising Chair
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Sending UMW
June 5: His Hands Healing Ministry July 3: Matthew 25 August 7:
Food Bank-Fill the Truck
Upcoming Special Offerings
Willis Dady Seeking Sunday Meals Provided Willis Dady Homeless
Shelter is seeking a few volunteers to provide a Sunday afternoon
meal. The shelter asks to either prepare and serve, or just drop
off a meal for 25-30 clients between 11:00-11:30 am on a Sunday. If
need be, the meal may be dropped off Saturday any time after 2:00
pm. However, the food should be cooked and need only warming if
delivered on Saturday.
This is the current list of Sundays that we still need church
communities to deliver meals: • July 3 and 28 • August 28 •
September 4 and 25 • October 2 and 30 • November 6 and 27 •
December 4 and 25
Willis Dady is a small building so they really only need maximum of
8 people to serve meals. If you would like to sign up to
serve/provide a meal, please contact Joseph Sorensen at Willis Dady
directly at 362-7555.
June 5 Mission Partner Offering- His Hands Free Medical Clinic His
Hands provides free medical, chiropractic, women’s health, mental
health, physical therapy and dental services in the Wellington
Heights neighborhood. Their mission is bringing glory to God by
meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those
without adequate resources. They are seeking medical volunteers,
social work volunteers, administrative/ clerical help, and prayer
support for patients. Contact His Hands at 862-2636 if you are
interested in volunteering. His Hands is a new mission partner for
St. Paul’s, and we are excited to partner with them!
UMW Upcoming Events Reminder to UMW Members
Have you participated in one of the 2016 Reading Program Plans? If
so, please submit the following information before June 1,
2016.
1. Your name and address 2. Which of the four plans you chose 3.
Titles of each completed book along with its category Send your
information to me by e-mail, regular mail or take it to the church
office and put it in the UMW basket.
Kay Cline, Secretary of Program Resources & Supportive
Services
UMW please save the dates: (Check with your circle chairs for more
info)
• Day Trip to Iowa City (Dream Center, Wesley Foundation, and R
Place): July 14 • Mission u, Marshaltown: July 17-20 • Kool Kool
Salad Luncheon (Fundraiser for Youth Mission Projects): July 28 •
District Mission Study Day at CR Salem UMC: August 11, 9:00 am-2:00
pm • Retreat at Clear Lake: August 19-21
Day Trip to Iowa City, July 14 St. Paul’s UMW planned a day trip to
Iowa City this summer. We will gather at the annex for an 8:30 am
departure time on Thursday July 14. We will tour the Dream Center,
Wesley Foundation, and The R Place in Iowa City. Mark your
calendars and plan to spend a day with your UMW sisters.
Reservations are required to assure adequate transportation and
lunch reservations. Sign up in the church office (363-2058) or
email Dixie Allen at dixieofcr@mediacombb.net. There is no charge
for the trip, except the cost of your lunch. This event is
sponsored by St. Paul’s United Methodist Women.
Save the Date: Trunk Sale, September 24 There will not be a Thrift
Mart this fall, it’s true, but UMW will sponsor a “Trunk Sale” on
September 24. Gather up items you would like to sell out of the
trunk of your car. Money raised will help support the Missions of
UMW and the church, just as they have from Thrift Mart. This will
be a great opportunity to try something new!
Caring
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Last month, I attended the Stephen Ministries Leadership Training
Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Stephen Ministers are trained
individuals within the local church to offer one-on-one Christian
caring. The ministry follows the direction in Galatians 6:2, “Bear
one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of
Christ.” The Leadership Training conference was developed to train
Stephen Ministers and those interested in Stephen Ministries to be
leaders in the local church program. A Stephen Minister Leader has
many responsibilities within the local church including, raising
awareness, recruiting and training new Stephen Ministers, leading
current Stephen Ministers in continuing education, and helping
facilitate small groups. The conference I attended included
more than 330 attendees from 35 different states and 4 countries.
It was a fulfilling week of learning, training, advice,
companionship, and prayer. I attended 25 90-minute sessions over
the course of seven days, covering various topics, including how to
motivate and encourage other Stephen Ministers, and how to identify
those individuals who could benefit from a caring relationship with
a Stephen Minister. I want to thank St. Paul’s UMC for the support
in giving me this opportunity, and I look forward to using my
training in the service of St. Paul’s UMC through Jesus Christ. If
you have any questions about Stephen Ministries, I encourage you to
call me or any of the Stephen Minister Leaders. My phone number is
319-398-9773.
Kevin Lodge, Stephen Leader
New Stephen Minister Class Your Stephen Ministry program is
exploring the interest of a new class to become a Stephen Minister.
If you have an interest in joining this rewarding group please let
us know. The training would take place from late August until
before Thanksgiving and we need at least six people. to learn more
about this training directed at helping others who are experiencing
difficulties in the lives and in need of support. For more
information contact Nancy Nygren at 319-550-1455.
Mike Dulaney, Stephen Leader
Stephen Ministries Leadership Training Conference
Upon admission to the Emergency Room or the Hospital in general,
the admission people are to ask you your church preference.
Sometimes people are unable to answer these questions because of
speech impairment or other impairments. If they fail to ask the
question, please inform them your church preference. Whoever
accompanies the person should answer this question for them. We do
not want to miss the opportunity to visit our church members or
those who designate
St. Paul’s as their church preference. Someone from the church,
either our pastors, our parish nurse, Mary Horn, or three of our
Stephen Leaders, Pat Bunch, Nancy Nygren, and Elaine Oxenford take
turns visiting those of our members in the hospital every day but
Saturday. On Sunday, John Nollsch and Any Bruner and whoever else
wants to join them, go to sing to them after the 9:00 am church
service.
Elaine Oxenford
Did You Know?
Prayer Requests for this devotion of caring will be added upon
request and updated weekly. Communicate by use of the prayer
request boxes, phone 363-2058, use the Prayer Request form on our
website stpaulsumc.org or e-mail: silg@stpaulsumc.org. Include a
permission to share with others, or a request for
confidentiality.
Prayer Prayer Devotions The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom
shall I fear?
~ Psalm 27:1
Hear our prayers for… • Peace and reconciliation in places of
conflict throughout the world and for those serving through our
military. • Those struggling with addictions and mental health
issues. • 50th wedding anniversary of Sandy and John McGee on May
15, 2016 • For our Congregational Ministries and God’s continued
blessings!
Continued healing & grace for... • Gary Wallace • Tracey O’Shea
(relative of Tamara Young) • Raine Allen (Dixie & Roger Allen’s
granddaughter) • Joyce Johnson (Tim) • Martha Justice • Pam Oltmann
• Max Fitz • Martha Grayson (Dave Mahlke’s sisiter) • Betty
Cuthbertson • Helen Hixson • Mark Sawyer (cousin of Melissa
Williams) • Joanne Havran (Leo) • Helen Cheney (Willard) • Grace
Judd • Ethan Craig Miller (son of Angela & Jeff Miller,
great-grandson of Max & Jean Fitz, grandson of Deann & Dan
Zenor) • Diane Olsen (Frank) • Carol Cassells
• Alice Ndayizeke • Judy Franta • Anna Habonimana • Macumi Elias •
Kristin Simon • Lori Anton (sister-in-law of Nancy and Brice
AntonJensen) • Mina Arbore (John) • John McQuilkin (Jean Kwader’s
father) • Clarence and Janette Mowery • Maria Bowman (Dan &
Sally McAleer’s niece) • Mike Myers (Suzanne) • Isaiah Hatfield
(premature infant son of Anya and Elizabeth Hatfield, grandson of
Amy and Scott Bruner) • Whit Bohning (Linda Hadley’s great
grandson) • Ryan Vick • Pam Anslyn (friend of Angela Stookey) •
Marilyn Everett (Tamara Young’s mother) • Jan Keene (Kevin) • Scott
Spoerl (Barb Newhall’s grandson) • Devin Simon (Kristin Simon’s
nephew) • Heidi DeJong (Chaun) • Angela Stookey • Kris Yahn (Steve)
• Quinn Anton Jensen (Nancy and Brice AntonJensen’s son) • Matthew
Hudson (Fran Nathanson)
The Church of Jesus Christ... • Hillcrest family Services, and Gary
Gansemer, & Staff (May 22) • North Liberty First-New Horizons,
and Pastor Alecia Williams & Josh Rath (May 29)
• Iowa Annual Conference (June 5) • Central City, First, and Pastor
Josh Hansen (June 12)
Memorial prayers for the families and friends of... • Dennis Dunek
• Francis Molitor • Lynn Asprooth • Fran Richardson • Shirley
Nebergall • Marcia Clemmons (Jerry)
Those under Hospice Care... • Scott Spoerl (Barb Newhall’s
grandson) • Corrine Smallridge (Vicki Comer’s mother)
The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
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Open Chancel Flower Dates St. Paul’s Flower Ministry has dates
available for chancel flower memorials. The dates available are as
follows: June 12, June 26, July 24, and September. Please contact
the church office if you would like to reserve a date for chancel
flowers.
Etc. Campbell’s Soup Labels for Bidwell For several years Bidwell
Riverside Center, a United Methodist sponsored agency in Des
Moines, has requested Campbell’s soup labels to support their
programs. As of July 1, 2016, this program is phasing out at
Bidwell. If you have some labels collected, please bring them to
the church office by June 1 so Grace Noonan can get our last batch
sent.
Nursery Staff Needed St. Paul’s is looking for additional nursery
staff. Staff employees must be at least 18 years of age, will need
CPR and First Aid (church provided). Hours available are: Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, Thursday 6:30-9:00 pm and Sundays 8:00 am-12:00 pm.
Please contact Lu Wherry (319 929-0132) if interested, or with
questions.
Enjoy Singing? Want to give Sanctuary Choir a try? Summer Choir
will begin June 1! Come join us for our summer series and find out
what it’s like to sing with the choir. Rehearsals are on Wednesday
evenings 7:00-8:00 pm and we will sing in traditional worship
through July 24. Contact Joel Foreman 319-360-2713 with any
questions.
One of the valuable kits that we are invited to send through our
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the sewing kit.
According to our Iowa Ingathering publicity, “Sewing Kits foster
independence rather than dependence. Cottage industries often grow
out of sewing classes where these kits are used to practice
skills.” Our kits will be shipped to developing countries where
learning to sew is a valuable skill.
Do you have some cotton blend fabric which you planned to make into
a quilt or pretty dress? Do you like to look at colorful sale
fabric where you can even use a coupon? Then think of the
Ingathering! (Please note that all items do need to be new.) If you
wish to contribute any of the items, we will put the kits together
to take to our annual Iowa Ingathering on November 5 at the Cedar
Falls Site. Keep this project in mind over the summer and bring
items to the Connection Center whenever it’s convenient for you. We
will need all items by October 1 so we can assemble the kits.
The following items create a complete Sewing Kit: • 3 yards cotton
or cotton blend fabric (one piece) • 1 sewing scissors • 1 new
spool matching thread (med to large size) • 1 package hand sewing
needles • 5-8 matching flat buttons on card (in original
package)
Thank you so much! Barb Oakland and Myrna Cooney
from your St. Paul’s Ingathering Team
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2016 Guidebook Staff at St. Paul’s UMC is in the process of
updating information for our 2016 Guidebook. Please go to our
website at stpaulsumc.org and create a member log in at myStPauls
to update your contact information. Please contact the church
office with questions.
Sewing Kits for November Ingathering
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Two Announcements from Staff- Parish Relations Committee Three
weeks ago I shared with you the fact that the church council
decided to create a new position, Associate Pastor for Children,
Youth, and Families. The council also expressed to the conference
superintendent, Rev. Kiboko, our desire that Keith Pitts be
appointed to that position. We have received word that, indeed,
Bishop Trimble will appoint Keith to be one of our associate
pastors, as a licensed local pastor, effective July 1. At that time
he will be given the privilege and responsibility of administering
the sacraments as well as serving as a pastor in the Iowa
Conference. Before long the Staff-Parish Relations Committee will
work with Pastors Sherrie, Jonathan, and Keith to develop specific
responsibilities for the new position. Please congratulate Keith
Pitts on this next step in his call to ministry.
Secondly, I want to share with you that Pastor Allison Warren also
has received an appointment by Bishop Trimble to serve a church.
The Bloomfield United Methodist Church, in southeast Des Moines,
will be blessed with Pastor Allison’s gifts for ministry and by her
gracious and energetic spirit. Bloomfield is a growing congregation
and recently completed an addition to their historic building. Her
ministry in Des Moines begins July 1. She will be with us for
Vacation Bible School and then leaving in the middle of June.
Please congratulate Allison Warren on this next step in her path of
ministry.
Jerry Oakland, SPRC Chairperson
Thank You, St. Paul’s!
The past 8 years have been full of growth, joys, sorrows, and fun!
Thank you for getting me started in ministry
and for partnering with me and encouraging me. The children of St.
Paul’s are in good hands with so many faithful, creative, and
committed disciples leading them. On behalf of all of the children
and myself: thank you! I also want to thank all of you who attended
my party, sent cards, and gave love gifts. I wish I could write you
all individual thank-you notes, but I fear it would be an
overwhelming task. Know that I thank God for each of you. I’ll be
here at St. Paul’s through Vacation Bible School and then have some
time to move to my new church. Starting July 1, I’ll be appointed
to Bloomfield United Methodist Church in Des Moines where I’ll be
the only pastor. I’m excited for this new role and ask for your
continued prayers just as I will continue to pray for you!
Blessings, Pastor Allison
Excited About New Role
I am really excited about what is ahead for the children and youth
ministries of St. Paul’s. As I
I enter into my new role here,
I am humbled by the absolutely amazing people that make up both the
youth and children’s ministries. I have been truly blessed over the
last year and I am looking forward to the new things God has in
store for us as we fulfill our calling to make disciples for Jesus
Christ. Please know my office is always open and there is always
candy if any of the children or youth want to stop by for a high
five, hug, or something sweet.
In His service, Keith
St. Paul’s is Moving Forward in Faith
Electrical Service ‘Pre-project’ electrical work is complete! We’re
now powered by our new transformer, underground service, and
circuit controls. Overhead electrical service wires in the alley
are gone, and power poles have been ‘shortened’. We even salvaged
two pieces of the infamous ‘leaning’ pole (see photos).
We’re waiting for communication wiring to be removed from the poles
and moved underground by the various service providers. When this
work is finished, the power poles will be removed.
Project Funding Approximately one third (1/3) of the total pledged
dollars have been received to date. We had anticipated that this
would occur, and we give thanks for all who have contributed and
are faithfully meeting their pledge commitment! You are encouraged
to remain ‘current’ in your contributions to the ‘Forward In Faith’
capital fund
so the amount of short-term construction loan borrowing can be
minimized.
Interesting fact More than 30 members have already paid their
pledges in full!
Design Work Your Building Committee members continue to meet as a
team, and to interact with our architects and general contractor to
review design details and cost information. Please note these
near-term calendar details: • Construction Drawings and Documents
should be complete by May 27. • General Contractor will solicit and
receive bids from subcontractors during the month of June. These
bids will form the basis of a ‘Guaranteed Maximum Price’ (GMP) for
our project. • Assuming a satisfactory GMP is obtained, St. Paul’s
UMC will work through our ‘district approval cycle’ during the
month of July.
• Our ‘Forward In Faith’ Facilities Renovation Project Kick-Off is
currently planned for Sunday, July 31! Save this date so you can
participate!
Be sure stop by to look at updated floor plan drawings in the
Parlor or main hallway.
A heartfelt thank you is given to all who continue to help move our
building project forward. And…. thanks to everyone for remaining
“flexible, positive, and proactive!”
Rejoice! Together we continue our journey Forward in Faith! John
& Lois Mather
Bridge Team Leaders
Financial
Plans, Plans & More Plans It is good to have this passage from
Jeremiah as a reminder that God has a plan for us, just like He had
for the Israelites. A great deal of planning is going on with the
realignment of locations for ministries. As space becomes more
precious with the upcoming construction projects, it is imperative
that we communicate the ‘when, where and who’ plans to as many
people as possible so we don’t have any ‘collisions’ on events; a
situation where two (or more) groups show up and want to use the
same location for a meeting. Suzette is working to update the
schedule with these changes so monitor the St. Paul’s website and
other communication channels for the latest on moves.
Giving Statements There still might be some issues to contend with
on giving statements. Shelby has worked to isolate those
individuals who have expressed challenges to accessing their giving
statement. If you are one of those individuals, thank you for your
patience through this challenge. Keep Shelby updated on this as she
works to determine
a common denominator for this issue. One other thought to keep in
mind with the statements is the request to review them to make sure
that the contributions you have made are being allocated to the
correct account. With pledges having been received for both the
Operating Budget (Forward in Fruitfulness) and the Building Fund
(Forward in Faith) unlabeled contributions are left to the
discretion of staff as to where they should be applied. We want to
catch any misdirected contributions as soon as possible. Your
assistance in this is greatly appreciated! If you need to contact
Shelby by email, her address is sroth@stpaulsumc.org. Thanks for
your patience as we work through areas of challenge.
Finances The Financial Report through April is nearly complete. The
deficit for the month is higher than budgeted but this is
reflective of lower than anticipated contributions. Anticipated
year-to-date deficits were budgeted at nearly $70,000 but through
April the figure stands at nearly $87,000. Total Contributions are
at 91.70% of
budgeted figures a little more than $30,000 behind budget. The
African National Grant has been incorporated into the Financials
such that the net impact to the Statement is $0. We are applying
the offerings received as part of the Non-Pledged figure.
Mission Partner Offerings The mission partner offerings received
since the last Outlook are as follows: • Linn Community Food Bank:
$821 • Neighborhood Meals: $1,087 • Ingathering: $355
The upcoming Special Offerings for June are June 5 – His Hands Free
Medical Clinic. This clinic provides free medical, chiropractic,
women’s health, mental health, physical therapy and dental services
in the Wellington Heights neighborhood. They are seeking medical
volunteers, social work volunteers, administrative/ clerical, and
prayer support for patients. His Hands is a new mission partner for
St. Paul’s.
In His Service, Garr Page
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